Most Affordable Online Elementary Education Degrees of 2024

For many aspiring educators, teaching is more a calling than a career choice. The journey begins with college, and an online elementary education degree offers a convenient and flexible path.

As higher education costs continue to rise, affordability has become an issue. Our guide is here to help with some of that, covering common courses, admission requirements, career paths, costs, and strategies for saving as much money as possible.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Earning an online bachelor’s degree takes hard work and dedication. An online bachelor’s in elementary education usually requires 120 credits and takes about four years to complete.

Common degree types for this field include bachelor of arts (BA), bachelor of science (BS), and bachelor of education (B.Ed.).

In these programs, you gain general education training, along with specialized teaching skills for subjects such as math, science, and social studies. Additionally, you’ll develop classroom management, assessment, and lesson-building skills.

You’ll have opportunities to apply these lessons practically through supervised internships. Some programs offer sub-concentrations like curriculum and instruction and special education.

Many online programs in elementary education prepare graduates for teaching licensure or certification. These are typically state-approved educator preparation programs that meet the educational and experiential requirements for licensure in that state.

In contrast, non-licensure bachelor’s programs might not include a student-teaching component. Note that K-12 public school teachers are required to hold a license, and licensing requirements vary by state.

As you see above, you can save thousands of dollars by studying online. The cheapest online elementary education degrees deliver even bigger savings by falling below the average costs cited by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Numerous other factors can impact the cost of your online bachelor’s degree:

To maximize your savings, consider taking the fullest possible advantage of cost-saving measures. Compare the cost of programs in and outside of your state, maximize your transfer credits if you have them, and investigate accelerated program options.

By submitting a completed FAFSA form, you will receive automatic consideration for federal loans, grants, and work-study opportunities. States commonly use the FAFSA to evaluate students for state-based aid programs. Many schools also use it to determine your eligibility for institutional financing programs.

TEACH grants deliver up to $4,000 per year in financial aid for emerging public educators. To qualify, you must commit to teaching at an organization that serves lower-income families for four years. Otherwise, your grant will be converted into a loan. You’ll need to confirm that your online elementary education degree program is eligible.

Scholarships are a valuable source of non-repayable education funding. They are typically merit-based or need-based. Merit-based scholarships reward exceptional academic achievement, community service, and/or extracurricular activity.

Need-based scholarships deliver funding to qualified learners experiencing financial shortfalls. Some scholarships are simultaneously need- and merit-based.

Many public, private, and philanthropic organizations offer scholarships to education students. Well-known examples include PDK International, the American Montessori Society, the POISE Foundation, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

The U.S. federal government’s TLF program benefits educators who teach full-time for five consecutive years in a school or agency serving lower-income students. Upon fulfilling these primary conditions, eligible teachers can receive up to $17,500 in federal loan forgiveness.

Instead of selecting the cheapest online elementary education degree you can find, consider a few other important factors before making a decision. The following checklist covers essential elements to look for in a quality learning opportunity.

For your degree to be recognized as legitimate, and to qualify for federal financial aid, you must attend a school that holds valid institutional accreditation. You can research a school’s accreditation status with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

Programmatic accreditation is optional, but it may signal elevated quality. Some students prefer programs with specialized endorsements from organizations like the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

Ensure that your online elementary education degree’s curriculum aligns with your career goals. One important example extends to licensure, which is a requirement to teach in public schools.

If you want to earn a teaching license, confirm that the program meets licensure requirements in your state before applying. Non-licensure undergraduate programs are generally for emerging educators planning to work in positions that do not require a state-issued license, such as private tutoring or teaching in private schools or abroad.

An affordable online teaching degree delivers cost benefits, but beware if those savings come at the expense of your needs. Research program structures and delivery formats. Do you prefer asynchronous or synchronous learning? Are you planning to study full time or part time?

Determine how these factors will impact your program participation and outside responsibilities, and ensure your preferences are properly supported.

You must set a budget, even for the cheapest online elementary education degrees. Create a plan for covering your costs, factoring in all available and expected financing sources. Include savings, gifts, loans, scholarships, and all other forms of aid.

Then, search for programs with costs that fall within your budget and align with your financing plan. For example, if you are hoping to receive a TEACH grant, make sure to enroll in an eligible program.

In the event of a bridgeable funding gap, see if the school offers any aid opportunities to learners in your situation.

Student support services can help you succeed in your program. Because it is not always possible to predict what kind of assistance you might need, research available services ahead of time. Look for services like tutoring, writing, technical assistance, career counseling, health and wellness aid, and job recruitment programs.

Schools maintain their own admission policies, and standards vary. However, the following requirements generally apply to online elementary education degrees:

Some programs, and especially accelerated elementary education degrees, are purpose-built for working professionals or experienced but non-licensed educators. In these cases, you may need transferable college credits that satisfy GPA requirements.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

An online elementary education degree most readily leads to teaching licensure and classroom-based instructional positions. However, you can also pursue numerous alternative career paths.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects stable labor market demand for many relevant careers over the decade ahead.

The following sections outline popular positions for which an elementary education bachelor’s degree may qualify you. Note that some roles may require additional certifications or endorsements.

Many bachelor’s students pursue teaching licensure or certification and enter the workforce after graduating. But elementary education degree-holders can also seek advanced education paths. For example, they can enroll in related programs, such as a master’s in elementary education or a master’s in early childhood education.

Graduates who wish to enter the administrative and management side of the field can earn a master’s in educational administration, master’s in educational leadership, master’s in instructional technology (learning design), or master’s in curriculum and instruction.